Dorset Studio School is a mainstream secondary school in Dorchester, Dorset, for children and young people aged 11 to 16. In January 2026, 136 of its 332 pupils (41%) were getting SEN support and 33 (9.9%) had an EHC plan.
- Ages 11–16
- 332 pupils
- Ofsted: Good
Special educational needs here
From the school census, January 2026. Compared with state secondary schools across England and in Dorset.
41% get SEN support
136 of 332 pupils. Help in school without an EHC plan.
Higher than the England average.
9.9% have an EHC plan
33 of 332 pupils. A legal plan from the council, for children who need more help.
Higher than the England average.
Most common needs
- Specific learning difficulty, such as dyslexia48
- Social, emotional and mental health41
- Autism30
- Speech, language and communication18
- Moderate learning difficulty15
Pupils by their main need, on SEN support or with an EHC plan. Needs with fewer than 5 pupils aren’t shown.
Figures show how many children the school supports, not how well. To see how it would support your child, talk to the SENCO and read its SEN information report on the school’s website.
School details
- Type
- Mainstream secondary school
- Run as
- Studio school
- Ages
- 11 to 16
- Boys and girls
- Boys and girls
- Pupils
- 332 (places for 375)
- Headteacher
- Mr Jason Malone
- Part of
- Kingston Maurward Studio School Limited
- Free school meals
- 31.6% of pupils eligible
- Council
- Dorset
- School reference (URN)
- 140977
How SEN support works
4 steps, from a first chat to an EHC plan
- Talk to the class teacher and the SENCO
If you’re worried about your child, ask for a meeting. Every school has a SENCO (special educational needs co-ordinator). Your child doesn’t need a diagnosis to get help.
- SEN support
The school should work out what your child needs, agree a plan with you, put it in place and review it together, usually each term. This is called SEN support.
- An EHC needs assessment
If your child needs more help than the school can usually give, you or the school can ask Dorset council for an EHC needs assessment. It can lead to an Education, Health and Care (EHC) plan, which the council must make sure is delivered.
- Free, independent advice
Your local SENDIASS can help at any stage, and can come to meetings with the school with you.
Questions to ask the SENCO
10 questions to tick off as you go
Ticks stay on this device, so you can use them at the meeting.
Ofsted
Rated Good, March 2024
Rated Good at its last graded inspection, in March 2024.
- Quality of educationGood
- Behaviour and attitudesGood
- Personal developmentGood
- Leadership and managementGood
- SafeguardingEffective
Contact and getting there
Kingston Maurward, Dorchester, DT2 8PX
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Directions: Walk Public transport Drive
Email me these details
The school’s details, its SEN figures and the questions to ask the SENCO, in your inbox.
Nearby
Specialist schools and SEN units
- Dorchester Middle School Mainstream + base · Ages 9–13 · Ofsted report card (2026) 2.0 miles
- The Thomas Hardye School Mainstream + base · Ages 13–18 2.2 miles
- Westfield Arts College Special school · Ages 4–19 · Ofsted: Outstanding 5.3 miles
- Wyvern Academy Special school · Ages 2–19 · Ofsted: Good 5.9 miles
Other mainstream schools
- St Mary's Catholic First School, Dorchester Primary · Ages 2–9 · SEN support 6.8%, EHC plans 2.3% 1.2 miles
- St Osmund's Church of England Middle School Middle · Ages 9–13 · SEN support 13.9%, EHC plans 6.3% 1.5 miles
- Manor Park Church of England First School Primary · Ages 2–9 · SEN support 19.4%, EHC plans 2.3% 1.5 miles
Questions about Dorset Studio School
How many pupils at Dorset Studio School have special educational needs?
In the January 2026 school census, 136 of the 332 pupils (41%) were getting SEN support and 33 (9.9%) had an EHC plan. Across England’s state secondary schools it is 14.1% and 3.5%.
What are the most common needs at Dorset Studio School?
Counting pupils on SEN support and with an EHC plan, the most common main needs are dyslexia and other specific learning difficulties (48 pupils), social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) needs (41 pupils) and autism (30 pupils).
Who do I talk to about my child’s needs at Dorset Studio School?
The SENCO (special educational needs co-ordinator). Every school has one, and every school must publish an SEN information report on its website explaining how it supports pupils with SEND.
How do I apply for a place at Dorset Studio School?
Through Dorset council’s school admissions, in the normal application round or during the year. If your child has an EHC plan, you don’t apply this way: you ask for the school to be named in the plan instead.
Can my child with an EHC plan go to Dorset Studio School?
You can ask for Dorset Studio School to be named in your child’s EHC plan. The council must consult the school and name it, unless it would be unsuitable for your child’s age, ability or needs, or would affect other children’s education or the efficient use of resources.
Does Dorset Studio School have an SEN unit or resourced provision?
Not according to the Department for Education’s register of schools. The nearest mainstream school with one is Dorchester Middle School, about 2.0 miles away.
Where is Dorset Studio School?
Kingston Maurward, Dorchester, DT2 8PX, in Dorset.
School data: DfE Get Information About Schools, SEN figures from DfE Special educational needs in England (the January school census), under the Open Government Licence. Postcode lookups by postcodes.io: contains OS data © Crown copyright and database right, Royal Mail data © Royal Mail copyright and database right, and National Statistics data © Crown copyright and database right. Distances are as the crow flies. Always check details and admissions with the school and your council.